My Application’s Service Files window

[Emile_Schwarz]

I created a window to deal with my application’s Service Files.

I have a design question about a function I add into a current project (not meant to ends at the App Store, nor elsewhere).

I provided a screen shot (OS X) to let you know what I mean.

The project have a folder in the ApplicationData that holds three text files holding service data.

One thing I strongly dislike is to get service data from application(s) I used once or twice or… and I trashed long ago. That is why I add a MenuItem to delete them (since… ages).

But I only can delete files I know of. As an example, there can be crash files plists in OS X. Who knows how many other files OS X can creates and where. Also, I do not really know what Windows does (nor what Linux do).

Now the questions:

a. Must I try to delete these files (knowing that I may not have the real list) ?

b. In the clear folder button, I delete all items that can be found in that folder, then I delete the folder itself. I do that per Xojo standards AND because of the invisible files (mostly under Windows) that can be there (for unknown reason(s).

PS: I use this project as a proof of concept for this feature. Just like everybody, once a feature is OK, I may use it in all my projects (when relevant).

BTW: the Show xyz buttons code’s writing was… astonishing. Just like the previous time I add this (Reveal the Item) feature, the Language Reference was… disturbing at most as the use of the Launch word… I do what I do the previous time: I go to the project I use this feature to know how I coded it. The correct way is to use

f.Parent.Launch

if the object to display is not a folder or the item will be launched by an application. Paul (someone) ? Can you add an explanation that display this alternate way to use FolderItem.Launch ?
If I have troubles ding that AND I know that I can do it - probably using FolderItem.Launch - who knows how many peopleshare the same situation without knowing it is possible to achieve that with simple Xojo code ?

How many people still use an AppleEvent (or an Apple Script) to do that and ask themselves how to do it X-Platform ?

[Tim_Parnell]

@239116:@Emile Schwarz

a. Must I try to delete these files (knowing that I may not have the real list) ?

No, you don’t have to. OS X is okay with your app leaving settings files behind. If your user is not, there are quite a number of apps on the market that find orphaned settings, caches, and logs for the user to delete.
AppZapper and AppCleaner to name two.

@239116:@Emile Schwarz

if the object to display is not a folder or the item will be launched by an application. Paul (someone) ? Can you add an explanation that display this alternate way to use FolderItem.Launch ?

The very first line of the FolderItem.Launch documentation states that. While it doesn’t mention how to open a folder, it tells you what happens when you launch a document.

@239116:@Emile Schwarz

If I have troubles ding that AND I know that I can do it - probably using FolderItem.Launch - who knows how many peopleshare the same situation without knowing it is possible to achieve that with simple Xojo code ?

I have not yet had a need for this function and I knew that launching on a folder opens it in Finder. It’s common knowledge around the forums, and with a little ingenuity someone could figure it out them self if they had to.

@239116:@Emile Schwarz

How many people still use an AppleEvent (or an Apple Script) to do that and ask themselves how to do it X-Platform ?

AppleScript or a declare is the only way to launch the folder and select the item in Finder. With just a couple minutes of searching I found this thread that shows how to show and select an item cross platform.

[Emile_Schwarz]

Thanks for your answer Tim.

About the applications that delete orphaned settings files: if every application clean its own file(s) before been trashed, the need for these applications will be near to zero ?

OK: a perfect world does not exists…

So, I will stay as I am right now.

BTW: for the documentation, i maintain my comment because there are three cases *:

a. If the FolderItem is an application, the application is launched.

b. If the FolderItem is a document, the document is opened and the application is launched if necessary.

c. If the FolderItem is a Folder (Directory), it is simply opened in the Finder (Explorer). **

a and b comes from the documentation, I added (here) the third point.

Now, a fourth point may be added: the one from the AppleScript (read the thread link you provide above).

• And any other opinion is valid.

** Then the user may find the searched file. (it will took more or less time depending on the number of files in the target folder/directory).

[Emile_Schwarz]

Yeah !

Since I can show my Application folder in the ApplicationData folder, I was able to copy in the Windows 81. Laptop the data files I used in the OS X laptop !

A simple click in one of the Show XXX buttons and I copied the files in the Explorer !

I do not thank at that when I coded that “feature”.

Nice …